Setting off a speed camera.....

jon208
jon208 Posts: 335
edited October 2007 in Commuting chat
Had a really fast run in this morning - though a bit sweaty, how warm is it today?!

My route is all 30mph and has a large speed camera population. I reckon I cant get well over 30mph on a clear run.

Is it possible to set a scamera off on the bike?

Would like that photo on the sideboard! 8)

Comments

  • Eat My Dust
    Eat My Dust Posts: 3,965
    I'm not convinced that you can. There's one on my commute and I've gone through it at 39mph and it didn't go off. In fact I go through it every morning at over 30mph and it's never flashed me, much to my dissapointment!!
    SNAPS
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,542
    Back when I was at university in Dundee we tried this at the end of every club run for months. We'd line it out for about a mile before then all sprint like fury for a sign just beyond the camera. It was a 40 mph limit though so we couldn't ever quite manage it.

    Happy days though.
  • hamboman
    hamboman Posts: 512
    have you ever seen it flash anyone? Maybe it's just one of those fake ones - a shell?
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    I'd like to be able to set a speed camera off. Even if we managed it, where would they send the fine and more importantly the photographic proof of you fine turn of speed to?
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    redvee wrote:
    I'd like to be able to set a speed camera off. Even if we managed it, where would they send the fine and more importantly the photographic proof of you fine turn of speed to?

    If you're in Bristol, try going down St Michael's Hill without touching your brakes, you should reach Mach 2 :lol::lol:
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • willbevan
    willbevan Posts: 1,241
    SecretSam wrote:
    redvee wrote:
    I'd like to be able to set a speed camera off. Even if we managed it, where would they send the fine and more importantly the photographic proof of you fine turn of speed to?

    If you're in Bristol, try going down St Michael's Hill without touching your brakes, you should reach Mach 2 :lol::lol:

    lol st micheal's hill, used to run up that when i was in bristol :D not nice lol but good for the legs in the long run ;)

    don't think i would like to cycle up it though :S
    Road - BTwin Sport 2 16s
    MTB - Trek Fuel 80
    TT - Echelon

    http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Going up St Micheals Hill will be out of the question now I think. Just about to christen my SS and a 46x18 is too much for some of Bristols hills, time will tell.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • willbevan
    willbevan Posts: 1,241
    redvee wrote:
    Going up St Micheals Hill will be out of the question now I think. Just about to christen my SS and a 46x18 is too much for some of Bristols hills, time will tell.

    Yep with what i have i wouldnt want to go up it, im to unfit, wellmising leg power
    Road - BTwin Sport 2 16s
    MTB - Trek Fuel 80
    TT - Echelon

    http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/
  • richardast
    richardast Posts: 273
    jon208 wrote:
    Is it possible to set a scamera off on the bike?

    Motorbikes activate them so I don't see why not.
    In a 30 zone it's probably set to catch anyone going over about 36mph though. ACPO guidelines suggest only prosecuting speeders doing in excess of the limit +10% + 2mph (they certainly used to anyway).

    It may have been a hoax, but I'm sure there was a story in the news a few years ago about a squirrel activating one (rodent, not helicopter).
  • Garry71
    Garry71 Posts: 96
    There's a camera on the Bristol Rd in Edgbaston going towards town that my mates car tripped at 33 mph if anyone fancies a go. It's the one before the row of shops by MacDonalds.

    Garry
    Cycling is too nice to waste it on getting to work.
  • tardington
    tardington Posts: 1,379
    I went round Dumfries and Galloway in the summer - outside Glenluce there's a very steep hill - weighted down with tents and etc, we got up to 41 mph! No speed cameras there though... :-/
  • gilbert_by_proxy
    gilbert_by_proxy Posts: 29
    I am told by a Triathlete friend that it's almost a hobby of the cycling group that he trains with to set speed cameras off. :D

    Depending how much money the local council want, depends on how low the trigger point is so I was told during a police lecture.
  • snooks
    snooks Posts: 1,521
    I always quite fancy the speed camera going down toward Roehampton (from the A3)...bit of a run down hill, seems to flash a bit...got to be worth a go :)

    May be we should all get together and give it a go!!! :D
    .
    FCN:5, 8 & 9
    If I'm not riding I'm shooting http://grahamsnook.com
    THE Game
    Watch out for HGVs
  • nickcuk
    nickcuk Posts: 275
    I was told off in another thread for suggesting this - actually I suggested flashing my a**e at the same time as triggering it so maybe it wasn't the same idea......
  • chrisjsmith
    chrisjsmith Posts: 280
    snooks wrote:
    I always quite fancy the speed camera going down toward Roehampton (from the A3)...bit of a run down hill, seems to flash a bit...got to be worth a go :)

    May be we should all get together and give it a go!!! :D
    .

    Been through that one at about 55mph - it flashed. I never got a ticket though.
  • dialforclown
    dialforclown Posts: 470
    I can set off a Slow Down sign in Poole. If fact I take in delight in doing it. 30mph sign and on a good day I am over 40mph when I get to the sign.
  • misterben
    misterben Posts: 193
    IME speed cameras exist in 1 of 3 states:

    1. Empty - no flashes, no nothing
    2. With film, but film run out - will flash, but only once, and won't take a picture
    3. With film, and ready to go - will flash _twice_ and you'll get a nice bit of post

    Cameras are set at various different levels above the limit. I know they experimented with one camera set at 31 mph at a bad spot in Glasgow at one point, but generally I would expect them to be set quite a bit higher than that.
    mrBen

    "Carpe Aptenodytes"
    JediMoose.org
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    misterben wrote:
    IME speed cameras exist in 1 of 3 states:

    1. Empty - no flashes, no nothing
    2. With film, but film run out - will flash, but only once, and won't take a picture
    3. With film, and ready to go - will flash _twice_ and you'll get a nice bit of post

    Cameras are set at various different levels above the limit. I know they experimented with one camera set at 31 mph at a bad spot in Glasgow at one point, but generally I would expect them to be set quite a bit higher than that.

    I thought that some Gatsos employed digital technology?
  • misterben
    misterben Posts: 193
    Gussio wrote:
    misterben wrote:
    IME speed cameras exist in 1 of 3 states:

    1. Empty - no flashes, no nothing
    2. With film, but film run out - will flash, but only once, and won't take a picture
    3. With film, and ready to go - will flash _twice_ and you'll get a nice bit of post

    Cameras are set at various different levels above the limit. I know they experimented with one camera set at 31 mph at a bad spot in Glasgow at one point, but generally I would expect them to be set quite a bit higher than that.

    I thought that some Gatsos employed digital technology?

    Only the posh new ones. They might appear down London way, but nothing up here that I've seen. The digital ones, to my knowledge, look considerably different in appearance.
    mrBen

    "Carpe Aptenodytes"
    JediMoose.org
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    misterben wrote:
    Gussio wrote:
    misterben wrote:
    IME speed cameras exist in 1 of 3 states:

    1. Empty - no flashes, no nothing
    2. With film, but film run out - will flash, but only once, and won't take a picture
    3. With film, and ready to go - will flash _twice_ and you'll get a nice bit of post

    Cameras are set at various different levels above the limit. I know they experimented with one camera set at 31 mph at a bad spot in Glasgow at one point, but generally I would expect them to be set quite a bit higher than that.

    I thought that some Gatsos employed digital technology?

    Only the posh new ones. They might appear down London way, but nothing up here that I've seen. The digital ones, to my knowledge, look considerably different in appearance.

    You are right, bit of web research shows that the old style Gatso is capable of taking 400 photos. Couldn't find anything about digital cameras.

    Really must get on and do some real work this morning :(

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